Asean's strength lies in neutrality and engagement, says Anwar - video Dailymotion

The Star

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Asean's neutrality and ability to engage major powers without being drawn into rivalry stems from mutual respect and inclusive diplomacy.  In a public lecture titled “ Asean in a Multipolar World: Perspectives from Malaysia” at MGIMO on Thursday (May 15), he said this approach has helped the region remain peaceful and economically resilient amid global tensions.  Anwar also highlighted Malaysia's engagement with the Global South, including its invitation to participate in BRICS with backing from Russia and China.  Read more at https://tinyurl.com/bdemkkj2  WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

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00:00I would like to invite Premier Minister Mancio.

00:30Why? There's peace in the region.

00:34We establish extremely close relationship with the leaders.

00:39Any issue, say Myanmar, we say, well, we have to find consensus.

00:44When I decided to go to Bangkok to meet the military junta

00:49and the opposition Prime Minister, the two Prime Ministers in the same country,

00:56I consulted all leaders of ASEAN.

00:58Can I do that?

01:00Because there was a terrible earthquake, that they need to have a ceasefire,

01:06that we need to have humanitarian efforts.

01:09And without exception, all of them, Singapore, Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia,

01:15Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, all said, please proceed.

01:20And after that, I immediately called them to tell them about the level of success

01:25and engagement that we have.

01:27So I'm not saying that this is due to one country or Malaysia, no.

01:32But because of this trust and comradeship and engagement between the leaders of ASEAN.

01:40And I'm very fortunate to be given that trust to coordinate the efforts.

01:45So do not fear innovation, creativity, and the preparedness to state what is right,

01:55what is just, what is honorable.

01:58Now, I state this because we are in a geopolitical flux that casts a shadow not only on security issues,

02:11but on trade and economic cooperation, but on trade and economic cooperation.

02:15There is rise.

02:17Can you imagine in 2025, after all the GATT and WTO and multilateral arrangements,

02:24now we have the rise of protectionism, arbitrary imposition on tariffs, unilateral sanctions,

02:36and economic decoupling that threatens the entire system that the world has somewhat agreed upon.

02:45So for a trading nation like Malaysia and my colleagues in ASEAN,

02:55this is nothing short from existential threat.

03:00We are a trading nation.

03:03We have become one of the hub for semiconductor production chips in the region.

03:09And of course, there's a production, both initially the back end now,

03:15advanced design, advanced packaging.

03:19And suddenly, we are threatened with this.

03:24So that's why we must continue to promote this sort of understanding,

03:28for what?

03:31For world order, for understanding, for peace, for collaboration, for open trade.

03:37That's essentially why you have an international institution like this.

03:40Why Rector Tuganaf, I think, this morning alone told me about at least six times

03:46about the need to enhance cooperation and collaboration.

03:51After this speech, he will say for the seventh time.

03:53But he is saying something which is appropriate and pertinent,

04:00that the days of protectionism must be over.

04:07So it must be rule-based world order.

04:10So I represent my colleagues in ASEAN, fostering this issue.

04:18That's why we support CPTPP, RCEP.

04:23And now, with Russian support, mind you,

04:27the country that proposed malicious entry as a partner in BRICS was Russian Federation.

04:34It was President Putin that proposed in last year's meeting

04:40and, of course, supported by China, India, Ethiopia.

04:45We are very fortunate.

04:48So that's where BRICS stands for.

04:50And I think we in Malaysia look forward to opening up trade and market

04:57from traditional partners.

04:59Now, notwithstanding what I've said, please remember that the United States

05:05is the largest investor into Malaysia and our largest trading partner.

05:12But it doesn't stop us from stating what we believe is right and honourable.

05:17Malaysia is chairing ASEAN this year.

05:21And my question is as follows.

05:23In an era of political turbulence and economic uncertainty,

05:28how can ASEAN foster unity among its member states

05:32to effectively bridge the world

05:35and create a cohesive regional response to global challenges?

05:41Who told you to ask such difficult questions?

05:45Thank you. Thank you very much.

05:47Now, ASEAN takes a common position on most issues.

05:52Of course, there are different countries, different emphasis and bias.

05:58But generally, for example, say the most contentious

06:01or more difficult conflict that we are facing,

06:05I mean issue that we are facing, say Myanmar.

06:09The consensus is okay.

06:11Do whatever it takes, engage however,

06:13but remain the five principles.

06:16We call it five-point consensus.

06:19And that's why in my engagement with Malaysia and talk,

06:22they know that I will throw the parameters agreed upon.

06:28Now, on tariff, we have these bilateral discussions.

06:31All countries in ASEAN are having bilateral engagement with the United States.

06:37But all of them asked, if possible,

06:41for Malaysia as present chair to at least present the ASEAN case.

06:47It's 650 million people, $3 trillion.

06:50It's not small when we see there's one regional block.

06:57So we have both bilateral,

06:59but also the understanding that, you know,

07:01we also speak up for ASEAN.

07:03Now, let us talk about, say, many contentious issues,

07:07say, issue of Gaza.

07:09Of course, there's different levels in degree,

07:11but no one wants this to continue.

07:15All wants to cease fire.

07:17All says you have to respect human dignity.

07:20You know, some may pronounce that you recognize Palestinian state.

07:24Some may take some time.

07:26But no country in ASEAN has condoned

07:29these indiscriminate killings and colonialism of Gaza.

07:35My name is Adam bin Amri,

07:50and I'm also a master's student here.

07:51I'm a master's student here in the Russia-Asean Strategic Partnership.

07:55My question for you today is,

07:57in light of the competing contradictions of influences in major powers,

08:01such as China and the United States,

08:03how can ASEAN in itself navigate its diplomatic strategies

08:07to maintain autonomy while also foraging connections

08:10that will support its member countries' aspirations

08:13to connect themselves with the global community market

08:16amidst this fragmentation.

08:19Thank you very much.

08:20Now, we have been sometimes persuaded or perhaps

08:28to initially take sides.

08:31But ASEAN as a whole adopts a policy,

08:35what is called centrality.

08:37We trade with all.

08:39We should be friends with all.

08:41We are, you know, small nations combined together,

08:43although it becomes big,

08:45you know, $3 trillion, as I said,

08:46and 650 million people.

08:48But still, we should show humility

08:50to say that we engage.

08:52There are problems we discuss.

08:53But they say no.

08:54But China is a potential threat.

08:57I say, threat to whom?

08:59Not to us.

09:01Then they say,

09:02but the South China Sea is still problematic.

09:04I don't deny.

09:06Do you have problems with borders with China?

09:08Yes.

09:09Malaysia is a maritime country.

09:11And we have issues with all countries.

09:16With Thailand, some parts of the border,

09:17with Indonesia, with Brunei,

09:19with Singapore, with Philippines,

09:22with Vietnam.

09:23But we don't go to war.

09:25We are best of friends.

09:27If I feel like I called Prime Minister

09:28of Vietnam, I just called.

09:32With Lawrence, I was glad he won.

09:36Landslide victory.

09:36I mean, we negotiate.

09:41We discuss.

09:41We can resolve.

09:42We can resolve.

09:43With Thailand, some issues,

09:44we can't resolve.

09:45We have joint development authority

09:46for oil exploration together.

09:51So, why is it when it comes to China,

09:54we take a different position?

09:57So, that is the position.

09:58Of course, there are different languages.

10:01For example, the Philippines

10:01have a more complex relationship.

10:04But still, as a whole, we say,

10:05okay, we should exercise restraint

10:08and engage in the dialogue.

10:09The different levels of partnership.

10:13But as a whole, it's centrality.

10:17And it is important.

10:19At the end of this month,

10:21ASEAN will have a special conference

10:24with GAF countries, the six,

10:28and China for economic summit.

10:32Oh, they see, but you are biased now.

10:33It's not true.

10:35Because early this year,

10:37I wrote to President Donald J. Trump

10:39on behalf of ASEAN.

10:40I said, we want this United States-ASEAN meeting

10:44to go ahead.

10:45So, it's very smart.

10:46You write to ASEAN.

10:48Can we meet ASEAN-USA?

10:49Then you go to China.

10:51Can we have a session?

10:53And I'm here in Russia.

10:54We are great friends.

10:55That is what I think

10:58geopolitical relations is all about.

11:02Okay?

Asean's strength lies in neutrality and engagement, says Anwar

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